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'Empire State of Mind' Parody Gets Pulled Off YouTube
- Posted on Aug 11th 2010 9:30AM by Matt Glazebrook
The parody clip, which features unsigned rapper Alex Warren paying tribute to Welsh rarebit while singer Terema Wainwright mimics Keys' Times Square piano performance via a Yamaha keyboard propped up on a park bench in the Welsh city, was produced by videomaker MJ Delaney and amassed over two-and-a-half million YouTube hits, even earning a mention on ITV News.
The tune also inspired an answer song -- 'Newport State of Mind (You're Not From Newport)' -- from Gwent natives and everyone's previous favourite Welsh comedy rappers Goldie Lookin' Chain, which points out that many of the tune's references ('Craig Bellamy,' 'the Welsh Assembly,' 'Shirley Bassey,' 'Gavin Henson,' 'Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch') aren't exactly Newport-specific.
However, EMI have failed to see the funny side of lines like, "Chips, cheese, curry make you feel brand new / washed down with a Special Brew" and demanded the video hosting site to remove the offending clip.
"When a song is created based wholly on any of our writers' works, those writers need to grant their permission," a spokesperson told the BBC. "If that permission isn't granted, then we ask the service in question to remove the song."
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Mojo
1 reply to Mojo's comment
You idiots are all very easy going when it's not you that's getting ripped off and robbed, aren't you? But each one of yous'd be bleating to high f*cking heaven if someone pinched a creative property of yours, reworked it, presented it to the world at large without your prior knowledge or permission - AND without paying you a single bleedin' penny. Most of you lot - calling EMI "miserable" and "shameful" and various other silly, overblown derogatory terms - would kick off like crazy bastards if someone picked YOUR pockets! It's the same thing. If they didn't have permission then it's theft.
And if you think that's a laughing matter then, fine - just be sure to keep smiling next time someone passes off your work as their own, or helps themself to your personal belongings, etc. Oh, and DON'T demand your legal rights or justice or anything boring like that - you miserable old f*ckers! LMFAO!
Dave Thompson
We get ripped off every day its called paying tax and gettin sod all back
August 13 2010 at 5:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Paul T
1 reply to Paul T's comment
I find this ironic, the EMI spokesman said to the BBC; "When a song is created based wholly on any of our writers' works, those writers need to grant their permission, if that permission isn't granted, then we ask the service in question to remove the song" Doesn't Chris Moyles (BBC Radio 1) do a parody pretty much everyday? In fact wasn't there even a parody album? Bet EMI forgot to mention that to the BBC!
August 11 2010 at 5:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Mojo
Paul T, what makes you suppose the necessary permissions aren't sought and granted before said albums of parodies are put out on general release? D'you honestly imagine you're going to spot a potential pitfall that the BBC's lawyers didn't?!!
PMSL!
Jo
How silly! This was fab and made everyone i know at least smile if not laugh out loud. EMI are just jealous that it was such a hit.
August 11 2010 at 3:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
John Wilson
What a fuss about nowt! John Wilson
August 11 2010 at 3:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Dave Thompson
Miserable sods i havent smiled this much in ages.
August 11 2010 at 2:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
mike
Idiots. If EMI were a bit more concerned about much of the violent scenes that are on youtube rather than something which is done in good faith then I'd have more sympathy with them.
They should think themselves fortunate that someone has even bothered to do another version of a song that is, in itself, utterly pathetic to say the least. Those responsible at both EMI and youtube should be ashamed of such actions and all hang their heads in shame.
neal jones
Get a life EMI the public could refuse to purchase any music cd or downloads linked to emi then where would you be ...........so small minded the little man having a laugh will not affect your industry
August 11 2010 at 1:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Sally
Imitation is the best form of flattery. Pity EMI are too stuffy to see that. Shame really as both songs are good for different reasons.
August 11 2010 at 12:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Granny Sue
How bad id that. the parody is much better than the origina. What ever happened to listeners choice?
August 11 2010 at 12:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Dandy Capp
Miserable sods is right, the parody was much better than
the original.
13 Comments